I can remember as a green, wet behind the ears 19 year old being introduced to various drinks in the NAAFI Bar at 16 Sigs, Bradbury Barracks, Krefeld, and later at 28 (BR) Sig Regiment. Especially all the lagers - Heiniken, Amstel, Carlsberg and of course the staple British beers such as Watneys Red Barrel etc.

I was also introduced to various spirits which I didn't drink up until then - Bacardi & Coke, Whiskey & Coke, Brandy & Coke. Yes it was Coke cola with everything. I could not stand the taste of spirits on there own. But I soon rapidly became 'aclimatised' to spirits without watering it down. I learned how to drink like a Squaddie - "Drink up man, it's your round next!!" Bacardi & Coke eventually became my favorite tipple for many years during and after I left the Forces.... (boo hoo, not any more now that I am a sober, upright and law abiding citizen... well old wrinkly then. Y'see I don't drink as I have gotten 'Religion'!!!!)

Some Pop Stars such as the Beatles popularized whiskey and coke in the 1960s - so, as a fan, I soon took to this beverage. I also learned to drink cheap, nasty Brandy that the NAFFI sold in the Junior Ranks Bar and in the Corporals Mess. I just cannot remember it, so it must have been pretty awful. I do remember that the hangovers were foul, and long lasting..... yuck!

I also rapidly acquired a taste for NAAFI Pickled Eggs, Pickled Onions, packets of crisps along with jars of Winkles (sea food) in brine to counter the taste of spirits. I did love the Pickled Eggs, as it all added to the later 'atmosphere' of 'Parps' (botty burps) in the Barrack Room. Cor, the stench didn't half make ones eyes water first thing in the morning. It was the stench of stale wee, puke, farts, unwashed socks, sweaty crutch etc in the bogs when having to get up to releive oneself of the previous evenings debauch.

What were your favorite drinks and memories, if any of Germany way back then? And did you like the Deutche boozers and their drinks over and above what was sold in the NAAFI?

I also rapidly acquired a taste for NAAFI Pickled Eggs, Pickled Onions, packets of crisps along with jars of Winkles (sea food) in brine to counter the taste of spirits. I did love the Pickled Eggs, as it all added to the later 'atmosphere' of 'Parps' (botty burps) in the Barrack Room. Cor, the stench didn't half make ones eyes water first thing in the morning. It was the stench of stale wee, puke, farts, unwashed socks, sweaty crutch etc in the bogs when having to get up to releive oneself of the previous evenings debauch.

I was in an 8 man barrack room......I didn't have my own room, not until years later when I was a full screw. The barrack rooms were 8 man rooms, and if all 8 blokes were on the lash the night before - that is where the stench came from.

Some folks were a bit more gungy than others, a few even didn't wash that well at the weekends, so personal hygiene was pretty well zilch. One or two only washed when a Regimental Bath was threatened.... Never Moi, Sir, Never Moi....... But I did end up one drunken night being dumped into a large metal Wheelie Bin outside the barrack bloc stark bollox naked after annoying some of my comrades who wanted a quiet evening in post a B2 Comcen Op course.

I'll never forget that - oh the disgrace and shame of it. Oh, the 'twattery' I had to live through the following week...... But all is forgotten and forgiven.... ahem!

And there I was just been promoted to Acting Lance Corporal. Y'see, I though that I 'had arrived', one of the Lads, on the 'Road to an Illustrious Military Career'..... But that is another story for another time!!

I was in an 8 man barrack room......I didn't have my own room, not until years later when I was a full screw. The barrack rooms were 8 man rooms, and if all 8 blokes were on the lash the night before - that is where the stench came from.

Some folks were a bit more gungy than others, a few even didn't wash that well at the weekends, so personal hygiene was pretty well zilch. One or two only washed when a Regimental Bath was threatened.... Never Moi, Sir, Never Moi....... But I did end up one drunken night being dumped into a large metal Wheelie Bin outside the barrack bloc stark bollox naked after annoying some of my comrades who wanted a quiet evening in post a B2 Comcen Op course.

I'll never forget that - oh the disgrace and shame of it. Oh, the 'twattery' I had to live through the following week...... But all is forgotten and forgiven.... ahem!

And there I was just been promoted to Acting Lance Corporal. Y'see, I though that I 'had arrived', one of the Lads, on the 'Road to an Illustrious Military Career'..... But that is another story for another time!!

They had a big crackdown on 'regimental baths' just as I left. Or rather the one's doing the RBs. Lots of time in the cornerhouse was handed out IIRC.

I have no idea if this policy worked, as 'my time was up' just as this was occuring.

I can remember going down to the local supermarket, Aldi?, before exercises and stocking up on a cheap Belgian beer called Bocholts or some thing like.Was about 10 D`s for a box of either 12 or 20 bottles.Tasted like pi$$ when warm but passable when chilled or when very thirsty.

Ah, yes - I remember Amstel as well. I seem to recall it was around 45 or 50 Pfennings for a bottle of Amstel, Heiniken and Carlberg lagers. I can remember many a pissy alcohol fueled evening in the NAAFI Bar or Corporal's Mess. When I was full and bloated with beer, I would then start on the shorts.

Whiskey and Coke, cheap Brandy and coke or Pepsi. Occasionally one would try some other posh drink such as Creme de Menthe. I would dread chucking out time on a Friday and Saturday night... it meant the party was over. Then it was a scramble over to the barracks for coats etc, then staggering down to the main gate, looking and walking as sober as possible, signing out and going down to the nearest German 'Stube' for further booze and eats.

Coming back after having another skinful and gut full of booze and grub, one would then stagger, rolling around on the ground, puking, pissing one's way back to the main gate... this was the problem, how to get past the orderly Sergeant and Guard Commander without revealing that one was more than a little pished.

Once signed in, spoken 'politely to said Orderly Sergeant and having said one's 'Good nights' etc, one stumbled, with one mates back to barrack block happy, pished, and full to an Army pit to sleep off the effects.

The worst effects was the next morning - badly hung over and on deaths door. it was a bonus if the Saturday and Sunday were free from duty, then one could sober up, clean up and get some breakfast down one to try and speed up the sobering up process. Each weekend one would 'Promise' not to do this again to oneself, but again and again as each weekend passed - the same old pissy behavior was repeated.

Ah, well 40 or more years on, I am a reformed character. don't smoke, drink, do sex????, drugs or rock-n-roll. Am I the boring old fart that I once looked upon with contempt all those years ago as a 20 something young geezer.

It was strange when I look back all those years. The CO, a Lt col used to crack down on discipline on anyone on CO's orders for drunkeness. yes this Geezer, alleged of course, used to have to be poured into his staff car around 4 pm each Friday afternoon, and taken home as he was too pished to do anything.

Posted to Germany in 64 for the first time. We had an old Staff/Sgt chief clerk. Former British Army in WW 2. He gave us the welcome to Germany lecture. Basically it went as so, " Lads I didn't drink Germany dry in 45 or when I was posted back and neither will you. So go easy on it". 3 years later late one Friday night a bud and I are driving back from Dortmund. We passed that humongous Dortmund Union Brewery. Going full out 24 hrs. It struck me that what the old Staff/Sgt said was true. I wasn't about to drink Germany dry, BUT I had the buggers working over time.

Actually Iserlohn Pilsner was my choice.

Times have changed, found out I was allergic to alcohol. Sure is different going back to Germany, Holland and the UK sober.

Two other evil smelling and potentially lethal local alcoholic drinks I quickly learnt to avoid were Bommelunder and Steinhager

Conversely I quite liked Shwarzkorn to be found in small areas of the Luneburger Heide, made from local berries (blueberries?) with a korn base. Very palatable when eaten with compo oatmeal biscuits and the "red" Canadian compo cheese to be found in some ration packs in the mid 60s

Conversely I quite liked Shwarzkorn to be found in small areas of the Luneburger Heide, made from local berries (blueberries?) with a korn base. Very palatable when eaten with compo oatmeal biscuits and the "red" Canadian compo cheese to be found in some ration packs in the mid 60s

Shwarzkorn, first kind of schnaps I was introduced to on the evening of 12 Oct 1964, my first night in Germany at Gasthof zum Felsenmeer (Friede's) in Deilinghofen. Good stuff.

I seem to remember as a young LCpl being introduced into the Cpls mess at Bournemouth Barrcks Soltau. It was not only my first Cpls mess but my first time in Germany, a lamb to the slaughter. After reading a notice behind the bar which stated that spirits could only be sold in single measures I was handed a ridiculously large 'Asbach' which naturally had to be downed in one (I didn't even know Asbach was brandy) Shortly afterwards the lights went out...

Conversely I quite liked Shwarzkorn to be found in small areas of the Luneburger Heide, made from local berries (blueberries?) with a korn base. Very palatable when eaten with compo oatmeal biscuits and the "red" Canadian compo cheese to be found in some ration packs in the mid 60s

Shwarzkorn, first kind of schnaps I was introduced to on the evening of 12 Oct 1964, my first night in Germany at Gasthof zum Felsenmeer (Friede's) in Deilinghofen. Good stuff.

Conversely I quite liked Shwarzkorn to be found in small areas of the Luneburger Heide, made from local berries (blueberries?) with a korn base. Very palatable when eaten with compo oatmeal biscuits and the "red" Canadian compo cheese to be found in some ration packs in the mid 60s

Shwarzkorn, first kind of schnaps I was introduced to on the evening of 12 Oct 1964, my first night in Germany at Gasthof zum Felsenmeer (Friede's) in Deilinghofen. Good stuff.

"Felsenmeer", God that takes me back !

It was turned into a pizza place and owned by turk last time I was there Brum. I understand it's shut down now. All good things come to an end. Got the word from an old friend in Australia. She was back home for a visit recently and let me know. Small world eh?

Have some recent photo's of the place interior and exterior if you care to see them.

I don't recall going into zum Felsenmeer very often, (I lived in Hemer), but I'd love to see any pictures you have of the area Hardrations.I was stationed in Hemer/Deilinghofen for about six years, a busy time but the nicest posting I ever had. You Canadians must've been heartbroken when you were packed off to Lahr.

You Canadians must've been heartbroken when you were packed off to Lahr.

In my case, more like pissed off. But then at the time we had Pierre The Gutless for Prime Minister. He dodged WW 2 and ever only once went into DND HQ's while PM. He had absolutley no idea what NATO was for and why we should have Armed Forces. He'd rather live in a pink cloud, roll over and play dead. Actualy he did have a use for the RCAF. They would fly him around, so as to shag all his girl friends.